Keith Bowman is a professional basketball player who is currently playing in Bosnia in A2 with KK Radnicki Gorazde. Keith along with Nate Garth where the first American players to play for the club, Nate left the team earlier this season but Keith continues to play and represent the club in their attempt to move up to a higher division next year. The team is led by the ambitious coach Hasan Rikalo who has worked hard to build a quality club in this small Eastern Bosnian town. The team is very young and is led by two imports, Keith and a Serbian kid named Dejan Radovic.

Keith is looked to as more than just a basketball player, his work ethic, leadership, professionalism have all been a key in getting a very young and inexperienced team to play above expectations so far. The club is currently in second place at 4-2 and Keith is averaging 25.1ppg and 13.8rbpg in six games.Here is my interview with him

Q) When did your interest start in basketball?A) My interest in basketball started my junior year of high school after a growth spurt moved me from 5'6 to 6'6. More people want you on their team when you're not a little scrawny kid. I've always enjoyed the game playing a lot growing up with my dad and his buddies.

Q) When did you realize that basketball was more than a hobby for you?A) I think i realized basketball was more than a hobby while I was at my junior college. Things started to come together skill wise for me and thought I may have a chance to try and pursue after college.

Q) What was the highlight of your college basketball career at Menlo College?A) Had a lot of good memories at Menlo College playing for coach Surface. Playing in conference playoffs, winning conference player of the year, but my fondest memory was playing against Cal Poly which is close to my home town and a lot of friends and family got to come watch me play (even though I think we lost by 40).

Q) You played in the famous 'The Basketball Tournament' for diehard basketball fans; it is a really cool, interesting concept with some great players. What was your experience like and do you plan on doing it again?A) I had a really great experience with the tbt basketball tournament. The people running the tbt do a wonderful job of putting on an awesome display and collection of basketball. I was lucky enough to get on a team thanks to Allan Cunanan and West Coast Ronin. I got to play against some ex NBA players and some current overseas guys. Would love to get another chance at playing in it again and win a couple games this time.

Q) What brought you to playing in Bosnia in such a small sleepy town like Gorazde?A) Coach Hassan (Rikalo) got me to Bosnia. He got into contact with me after i posted some of my highlights on a job site and here we are now.

Q) What has your experience been like playing in Bosnia so far?A) My experience playing in Bosnia so far has been enjoyable. Different pace and style of play (and life) then i was use to in the states but I've adapted pretty quickly.

Q) What has the transition been like for you both on and off the court, has it been easier or more difficult than you expected?A) My transition has been easier for me on the court then off. Once i got used to the travel calls from the refs playing has been the same for me. Off the court has been a much different story. I have tons of free time on my hands and it gets boring sometimes in a small town like Gorazde.

Q) Did you travel much before coming to Bosnia? How much of a transition has it been for you so far?A) Actually a couples weeks before i signed to play in Bosnia I was on a pro tour playing in china so I've put my passport to good use this year. The transition has defiantly been made easier by just how friendly and generous the people in Bosnia especially in Gorazde have been to me.

Q) Gorazde the city and basketball program have experienced significant progress that last few years and they have big ambitions on the future. Do you feel like an ambassador for a city and program that don't get a lot of publicity?A) I don't really see myself as an ambassador because there are so many really skilled and great basketball players are here already. It's an honor to be a part of the first American group (me and Nate) that this club has had. This part of the world produces great basketball player, look at the guys that are in the NBA,Euro League,ABA League, amazing brand of basketball that doesn't get enough recognition that it deserves.

Q) Basketball outside the first division presents a lot of challenges and the fact that you have been a model professional through difficult challenge speaks volumes of the kind of player you are but also the person. Where does this inner strength come from?A) Yes not being in first league here present a different and additional set of obstacles. Nate leaving early too made things more difficult being the only American but have to keep on pushing forward and know I'm doing this for a reason and it's a steppingstone to get to where I want to go. My inner strength comes from my parents for sure. My dad preached to me growing up that once you commit to something you finish the job whether it is easy or hard, you have to stick with it and give it your best effort.

Q) What has been your favorite part of being in Bosnia so far? What has been the most challenging? A) My favorite part about Bosnia so far is how kind the people are here. When I sit in the cafe here I have someone everyday offer to buy me something to drink or just try and have a conversation even though we can't fully understand each other with the language barrier. You don't really get that much in the US anymore so I really enjoy that. The hardest part has been the language barrier. I wasn't really sure what to expect coming here communication wise but that has been pretty difficult.

Q) How do you like the food and culture of Bosnia? Do you have a favorite food so far?A) Bosnian food has been better than expected for me. This was something i was really worried about being a big guy but it has been a pleasant surprise. Cevapci and burek are both really tasty and are probably my favorites besides the chicken sandwiches

Q) Bosnia is known for its hospitality and natural beauty, have you had the chance to meet people and explore the country so far? Do you have any favorite places you have visited?A) I've seen some awesome and beautiful places and met some really cool people. Sarajevo is amazing. The different parts like old town are really fun to see and walk around at. Driving on road trips you see unbelievable views especially now that snow has fallen. I catch myself taking pictures of the same place over and over again just because how beautiful the scenery here.is. Zisko the singer is the most interesting character that I have met here in Bosnia. Love his swag and style.

Q) What are some memorable highlights from 2015 and what are your goals for the New Year?A) 2015 was an awesome year with many highlights. Playing in my first league game here might be the best one though. Being that it is my first full season overseas that was an awesome moment right before tipoff because I knew I made a dream come true.Many goals for 2016 but making sure we are top 2 in our conference so we can go to playoffs and get the club moved up for next year is #1 on the priority list right now.

Maccabi Kiryat Gat (National League) signed 31-year old Israeli international center Robert Rothbart (217-86, agency: Octagon Europe). He is a dual citizen owning also Bosnia and Herzegovina passport. Rothbart played last season at Hapoel Eilat (Winner League). In 38 games he had 6.1ppg and 3.7rpg. National League will be definitely a better match and he can see more playing time. Rothbart helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league. The previous (15-16) seas... [read more]

Maccabi Kiryat Gat (National League) signed 31-year old Israeli international center Robert Rothbart (217-86, agency: Octagon Europe). He is a dual citizen owning also Bosnia and Herzegovina passport. Rothbart played last season at Hapoel Eilat (Winner League). In 38 games he had 6.1ppg and 3.7rpg. National League will be definitely a better match and he can see more playing time. Rothbart helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league. The previous (15-16) season he played at Hapoel Tel Aviv (also in Winner League) where in 38 games he recorded 10.0ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.1apg. A very impressive season as he was named to Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League Honorable Mention. Rothbart's team won Slovenian Cup in 2012.He has been also a member of Israeli international program for some years. Rothbart has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2010 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2006.He represented Israel at the European Championships two years ago.Rothbart is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in France, Italy, Poland (GTK Asseco II Gdynia), Turkey (Denizli Basket), Israel (Galil Gilboa, GreenTops Netanya, Ironi Nahariya and Maccabi Haifa), Slovenia (Un.Olimpija) and Bosnia (Borac Banja Luka and Igokea).Rothbart could be described:
A big man with great technique and superb post game. Great FT shooter and passer as well. Experienced from top European leagues and Euroleague. Dominated Turkey 2nd division until the team stopped paying and terminated his contract, went to Igokea for the play-offs. Has USA and European passport.

Melilla Baloncesto (LEB Gold) added to their roster 30-year old Bosnian ex-international guard Diego Kapelan (190-87, college: McNeese State) from Ourense Termal. In 38 LEB Gold games in Spain he had 12.0ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.3apg last season. The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others his team made it to the Austrian Cup final in 2015. Kapelan was also voted Eurobasket.com All-Austrian League Honorable Mention in 2015. He is a dual citizen owning also Canadian passport.... [read more]

Melilla Baloncesto (LEB Gold) added to their roster 30-year old Bosnian ex-international guard Diego Kapelan (190-87, college: McNeese State) from Ourense Termal. In 38 LEB Gold games in Spain he had 12.0ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.3apg last season.The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others his team made it to the Austrian Cup final in 2015. Kapelan was also voted Eurobasket.com All-Austrian League Honorable Mention in 2015. He is a dual citizen owning also Canadian passport. He was a member of Bosnia and Herzegovina Senior National Team back in 2011.Kapelan is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Cyprus (Apollon), Germany (ETB Wohnbau), Greece (Kolossos H Hotels), Austria (Raiffeisen Flyers Wels) and Bosnia (HKK Zrinjski HT Mostar).Kapelan attended McNeese State until 2011 and it will be his seventh season as a professional player.On Kapelan:
Pure shooter who can bring ball up floor when needed. Deadly 3point shooter with supreme confidence on his shot. Can pull up from deep as well as of the dribble inside the 3point line. Good ball handler and passing skills. Needs to improve on defense.

OKK Spars Sarajevo (Division I) confirmed in their roster 24-year old Serbian guard Pavle Reljic (194-93). He played there last season. In 19 Division I games he had 7.5ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3apg and 1.0spg. Reljic ended the previous (2015-16) season at Mladost in Serbian KLS where in three games he recorded just 2.3ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.0apg. But the most of that year he spent at BC Timisoara in Romanian Liga Nationala. In 10 games he averaged 6.2ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.1apg. Reljic represented Serbia at... [read more]

OKK Spars Sarajevo (Division I) confirmed in their roster 24-year old Serbian guard Pavle Reljic (194-93). He played there last season. In 19 Division I games he had 7.5ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3apg and 1.0spg. Reljic ended the previous (2015-16) season at Mladost in Serbian KLS where in three games he recorded just 2.3ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.0apg. But the most of that year he spent at BC Timisoara in Romanian Liga Nationala. In 10 games he averaged 6.2ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.1apg.Reljic represented Serbia at the European Championships U20 in Tallinn (Estonia) four years ago. His stats at that event were 9 games: 7.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 85.3%.Reljic has played previously professionally in Serbia (Masinac, Mega Bemax and FMP Beograd) and Romania (Timba Timosoara).

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